Technical Training Program Geared To Single Mothers

August 10, 1992|By CINDY RODRIGUEZ; Courant Staff Writer

Leandra Hunt was pregnant when she graduated from Bloomfield High School in 1985. She never thought she would attend college and has been on and off welfare since her daughter, Leah, was born seven years ago.

Hunt, now 25, will graduate in January from Hartford State Technical College with a certificate in computer-aided drafting and manufacturing.

Hunt is one of nine single mothers between 24 and 40 who are receiving technical training and a chance to get off welfare through a program at the Hartford Area Training Center.

The center, at 56 Coventry St., was established in 1980. It is a private, nonprofit job-training center. Unemployed area residents are trained as machinists by working on equipment donated by local businesses. The center is funded in part by the state Department of Education, the United Way and the Job Training Partnership Act, said Helen Schwartz, assistant director.

The center has trained and placed more than 900 men and women in companies such as Parsons Industrial Diamond in West Hartford, Gerber Garment Technology Inc. in Tolland and Mastersons Manufacturing Corp. in Bloomfield, Schwartz said.

The center teamed up with Hartford State Technical College to develop a program that would educate, train and place women in nontraditional technical jobs.

The 15-month program is free to participants. The state Department of Income Maintenance provides the women with bus passes and child care while they attend classes through the year, Schwartz said.

"It's a free opportunity, so I took a chance," said Hunt. She is trained as a word processor, but lost her job earlier this year. "I've tried to keep working. I want to do things on my own."

Judy Perez, 24, of Hartford, has been on welfare five years. She said she is in the program to get off welfare.

"I'm not made to sit at home," said Perez, a mother of four and a 1987 graduate of Bulkeley High School in Hartford. "I want to get my life on the road and not sit at home anymore."

The center is accepting applications for the second program, which starts in September.

Fifty women were screened for nine slots. Applicants needed a high school or general equivalency diploma, and had to pass English and mathematics tests. Finalists were interviewed before being chosen.

The women attended a five-month pre-training course at the center. They received career counseling, took a refresher math course and learned basic drafting and machining.

Schwartz said that despite the recession, she is optimistic the center can find the women jobs after they graduate in January. She bases her hopes on the center's successful record in placing other graduates.

Benton Brown, manufacturing manager at Parsons Industrial Diamond, has hired about 15 people who trained at the center and is "highly satisfied." He said they have been hard-working, reliable and punctual.

"The center teaches them excellent work habits," he said.

John Nixon, owner of Mastersons Manufacturing Corp., has employed five center graduates over the past four years. He said there are few good machinists today, and it is helpful to hire and train someone with a basic background.

Perez and Hunt said they want to continue their education; they will use their credits to complete a twoyear program.